Memorial Weekend 2013, Day 2

On the second day of our Memorial Weekend trip, we once again split up into a few groups. One group went to Baldwin Lakes to finish the bashing we had started the day before. Another group went on a scenic trip up Aspen Ridge. Ben and I decided to head over to Billings Lake. According to the Wells books, the Lakes are 11.1 miles down the trail.

It was very dry for most of the trail, when all of a sudden we hit a ton of snow. The first couple of drifts had already been busted and I figured someone must be ahead of us. Next thing I know, the tracks suddenly stop and it's fresh snow beyond. Ben and I worked the snow and were able to bash through with minimal difficulties. At one point we reached a long snow field that was slightly up hill. I was finally forced to pull the winch out to get us beyond this point. After I cleared the track, Ben came through no problem.

We reached treeline, and 10.8mi on the odometer, when we finally saw nothing but snow and called it quits because we were unsure where the trail went. The darn lake was within a half mile, and we were so close, yet not close enough!

Next we decided to drive up Taylor Mountain. We made it 6 miles up the East side to the Rock Quarry where we found some rocks to play on. Above this point, the road was covered with snow and too steep to make any bashing progress.

 

 

After a ton of snow bashing, camp fires, and no break downs in my group, the weekend came to a close and we all headed home. Until the next weekend... See ya on the trail!